The FGCU roster for this season – and near-wholesale makeover of its frontcourt in just one summer – got even stronger Tuesday with the NCAA's waiver approval for UNLV transfer forward Demetris Morant to play immediately without sitting out a season.

Morant, a 6-9, 210-pound redshirt sophomore, transferred to FGCU this summer in order to be nearer to his father, who suffered a stroke and is being cared for by family in Miami.

"It's terrific news," said FGCU coach Joe Dooley. "We're appreciative of the NCAA understanding the (request) and of UNLV supporting it. We think it's the right thing for Demetris and his family."

Morant, who has been practicing with his new teammates since late June, averaged only 3.8 minutes in just 13 games as a redshirt freshman last season on a UNLV team rich with frontcourt talent.

But Dooley sees the former high school long jump and triple jump state champion, ranked in the top 20 centers nationally in 2012 before choosing UNLV over Memphis, New Mexico and Texas A&M, playing major minutes this season.

"He's very excited," Dooley said of Morant while also thanking FGCU compliance director Alex Masse for helping Morant gain eligibility this season. "Alex did an excellent job from our standpoint."

While FGCU returns backcourt stalwarts and first-team Atlantic Sun Conference guards Brett Comer and Bernard Thompson for their seniors seasons, much of the team's frontcourt has changed since last season.

Chase Fieler graduated, Eric McKnight transferred and Filip Cvjeticanin underwent back surgery recently and will miss the season. Cvjeticanin will redshirt and return for his senior year in 2015-2016.

Redshirt-senior Jamail Jones returns and can range anywhere from shooting guard to an undersized power forward, redshirt-senior center Nate Hicks is on pace to return by Oct. 1 from ACL surgery, and walk-on redshirt senior forward Marcus Blake can provide minutes again when needed.

Redshirt-freshman Logan Hovey, who missed all of last season with a leg injury, also is on track to play this season and contribute versatile skills as a 6-7 forward.

But FGCU also will be relying heavily on three newcomers and potential starters in Morant, 6-11 junior college transfer Eric Moeller and 6-8 former Tulane transfer Marc-Eddy Norelia, eligible this season after sitting out last year.

"It provides flexibility," Dooley said. "We can play big. We can have Demetris and Eric together, which is a big lineup. Because of Eric's skill level, we can play Nate and Eric together. We can use Demetris and Marc-Eddy together, or Demetris and (Jones) and play small and be more athletic.

"We've got some good pieces," Dooley said. "The big thing is staying healthy. I think our guys have pretty good focus."